Deep science / hard tech
Investors comfortable with long R&D cycles, IP, hardware, and science-driven breakthroughs.
What this thesis means
Deep science and hard-tech investors back companies where the hard part is physics, biology, materials, semiconductors, robotics, or advanced engineering, not only software packaging. Timelines are longer, capital needs can be lumpy, and technical diligence is non-negotiable.
In India this thesis is growing with deeptech funds, climate hardware, space-adjacent startups, and research-linked spinouts. Investors ask about IP, talent density, lab or manufacturing path, and what milestones unlock the next financing before full commercial scale.
Founders should not pitch hard tech like a consumer app. Show the science risk reduced so far, remaining technical milestones, and why a startup (versus a university lab or large corporate) is the right vehicle. Commercial story matters, but technical credibility comes first.
Who it fits
- Deeptech, climate hardware, robotics, and science-based startups
- Founders with strong technical teams and IP clarity
- Companies that need milestone-based capital, not only growth marketing capital
What to prepare
- A milestone roadmap that de-risks technology step by step
- IP and talent story
- Capital plan matched to R&D reality, not SaaS defaults
Funds with this thesis
021 Capital
021 Capital focuses on Seed, Series A opportunities across technology and adjacent sectors, operating as a VC relevant to Indian founders.
$1M – $6M100Unicorns
Be the 'Y Combinator of India', provide initial capital plus committed follow-on to idea-stage startups, supporting them across their first three funding rounds before connecting them to large VCs for growth capital.
$250K – $3M100X VC
Invest in 100 companies per year at pre-product stage and help them reach their next milestone
$25K – $250K